The Caribbean District has 91 adult clubs and over 3000 members based in Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands and Trinidad and Tobago.
Below is a timeline of important milestones in the Optimist International Caribbean District:
The first Optimist Club chartered in Caribbean District, the Optimist Club of Kingston, was formed in Jamaica. It was chartered on August 10, 1980 and was sponsored by the North Miami Beach Club (which was part of the South Florida District). This club was formed with charter 48 members.
The first President of the Optimist Club of Kingston was Andy Morgan.
The first female member of any Optimist Club in the Caribbean was Jennifer Wynter who joined the Optimist Club of Kingston in 1987.
The first five (5) clubs chartered in the now Caribbean District were:
-1980 – Kingston
-1986 – Montego Bay
-1986 – Kingston, Breakfast
-1987 – Spanish Town
-1988 – (North St. Andrew) (St. Andrew) (concurrent)
These Jamaican clubs were first part of the South Florida District (District # 61) from 1980-1992.
The Caribbean District was initially called the Jamaica District and it became an Optimist International District (District # 78) in 1992 with 25 clubs.
The first Governor of the Jamaica District was Theodore Golding of the Optimist Club of Kingston.
The islands which formed the then Jamaica District were Jamaica, Barbados and Antigua & Barbuda.
The first Optimist Club formed in the Eastern Caribbean Club was the Optimist Club of Barbados Bridgetown. This club was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Montego Bay, Jamaica in 1992.
The first Jamaica District Convention was held in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, Jamaica in August 1993.
Below are additional important facts about the Optimist International Caribbean District
The first Secretary Treasurer of the Jamaica District was Dr. Ronald Bourne of the Spanish Town Club.
The “Jamaica District” became the “Caribbean District” on October 1, 1996 with 38 clubs.
The first Governor of the newly renamed “Caribbean District” was Major Errol Alliman of the Optimist Club of North St. Andrew.
The first Secretary Treasurer of the newly renamed “Caribbean District” was Gene M. Douglas of the Optimist Club of North St. Andrew.
The First all-Female Club in the Caribbean District was the Optimist Club of Barbican Pines which was formed on September 28, 1999 by the Optimist Club of North St. Andrew.
The first female Governor of the Caribbean District was Shirley Jarret who assumed office on October 1, 1999.
The seven (7) islands with Optimist Clubs which resulted in the renaming of the “Jamaica District” to the “Caribbean District” were: Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda, The Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Trinidad & Tobago, Anguilla and St. Lucia.
Theodore Winston Golding – (2007 -2008) is the first member of Optimist International from outside of North America and the first member of African descent to have been elected and served in the Offices of President of Optimist International and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Optimist International. He is a member of the Caribbean District.
Adrian Elcock (2019-2020) is the second International President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Optimist International outside of North America. He hails from the Caribbean District.